FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — An investigation is underway into the cause of a fire that tore through a historic home in Fall River Monday afternoon. Firefighters were called to the corner of Locust and Rock streets just after 3 p.m. for reports of flames shooting from the back of the home. The Fall River Historic Commission lists the house at 386-388 Locust Street as a Gothic Revival home built circa 1848, called the Albert S. Clark House. It's included on the National Register of Historic Places as part of Fall River's Highlands Historical District. Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said the flames raced up the back of the house toward the roof and into the attic. Bacon said the house's age and its wood frame, as well as the style of the architecture, gave the fire ample time to intensify. "That wood has been drying through hot summers for nearly 180 years," Bacon explained. "Once the fire got into those void spaces, we couldn't get to it without pulling walls and ceilings down." Firefighters were ordered out of the building once the fire began quickly moving through those void spaces, leaving "nasty black smoke" in its wake, Bacon added. Everyone who was home at the time escaped and no one was injured. The exact cause of the fire is unknown, and it's unclear whether the home is a total loss. "If it were a new construction I would say it's probably going to be a tear-down, but these old houses are built like fortresses, so you might be surprised," Bacon said. The American Red Cross is assisting five displaced residents with clothing and temporary housing. John Pereira, a close friend of the homeowner, told 12 News the house holds so many memories. "I'm going to miss this house," he said. Pereira said he played in a band for decades with the homeowner, and the house was where they practiced regularly. "This was their castle, now their castle no longer exists," he said. "It's hurting me just like it's hurting him." It's also devastating for Matt Saravo, who lives next door. "It's heartbreaking ... [this house] is his whole world," Saravo said of the homeowner. "I can't even imagine." Pereira said that, although it's a hard pill to swallow, he's thankful it wasn't worse. "The house, the instruments, his furniture ... everything that's in there — that can be replaced," he said. "We're just so happy and so grateful that everybody is safe." Fire at intersection of Locust and Rock streets in Fall River, 2:55 p.m. (Shiina LoSciuto/WPRI-TV)Fire at intersection of Locust and Rock streets in Fall River, 3:04 p.m. (Shiina LoSciuto/WPRI-TV)Fire at intersection of Locust and Rock streets in Fall River, 3:44 p.m. (Shiina LoSciuto/WPRI-TV) Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less